Friday, May 29, 2015

On removal of Cuba from black list

Here are two opposing views. The first is from James Williams, president of Engage Cuba:

The State Department’s announcement that it has removed Cuba from the U.S. List of State Sponsors of Terrorism is a historic and welcome development. We anticipate the next step of opening embassies in our respective capitals.

We conclude yet another week with encouraging news and reflect on the astonishing pace of change in U.S.-Cuba relations. Status quo advocates in both countries should take note. The Cold War is over. Today’s announcement is further evidence that after 54 years of a failed policy, we aren’t going back. We are looking forward for the betterment of both the American and Cuban people.

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., has a different take:

President Obama’s decision to remove Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism list demonstrates that this Administration has once again put politics over policy. Cuba should not have been removed from the State Sponsor of Terrorism list since one of the many reasons for its inclusion are its links to repressive regimes around the world such as Iran, Syria, and Russia. Additionally, Castro continues to provide a safe haven to terror groups like the Colombian FARC and Spanish ETA and harbors fugitives from American justice.

The Castro regime’s responsibility in the Brothers to the Rescue shoot down, the unresolved claims stemming from its illegal confiscation of property from American citizens and businesses, and its continual use of repressive tactics to silence any opposition to the tyrannical regime are further evidence that Cuba should not have been removed from the SSOT. However, it is clear that this review from the Obama Administration was not based on facts, but rather based on a desperate attempt to offer more concessions to the Castro brothers in exchange for opening an embassy in Havana.